Sales of hobby games in the U.S. and Canada crossed $1 billion with authority in 2015, reaching $1.19 billion, according to a new estimate compiled by ICv2.

But there may be more important changes happening beneath the surface, where the top titles are shifting and long-brewing trends may be starting to finally manifest themselves more visibly.

It was another great holiday season for board games, with some reporting sales increases as much as 50%.

“People are looking for a way to express themselves on their car, in their homes, or at their desk at work.”

As we pass into 2017, we look back on the Top Five major events in the hobby games business.

Iello has shared this teaser image for Rob Daviau’s new Lovecraftian horror game Mountains of Madness.

Asmodee will release Space Cowboys’ Watson & Holmes competitive detective game of deduction and intrigue in 2017.

Z-Man Games has announced its fall releases including Pandemic: The Cure – Experimental Meds, Carcassonne Amazonas, A Feast for Odin, Nautilion, and Cosmic Evil .

This chart of the Top 10 Board Games (hobby channel) reflects sales in Spring 2016.

Asmodee has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire F2Z Entertainment Inc., with the transaction expected to close in the coming months.